At 26 years old, New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-forward-looking-to-cross-item-off-bucket-list-against-penguins-paul-cotter-sidney-crosby] forward Jesper Bratt [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-chris-tierney-jesper-bratt-most-underrated-nhl] has over 500 NHL games of experience. From his fourth to fifth season, he offensively exploded, increasing his point total from 30 to 73. Since then, he has never looked back, earning back-to-back 73 points before earning a career-high 83 in the 2023-24 season. After the team's Wednesday afternoon practice, The Hockey News sat down with Bratt at his stall for a mini Q&A, during which he opened up about his love for the game, career trajectory, and more. The Hockey News: Lisa Kudrow has publicly spoken about how it took a few years to settle into her Friends character, Phoebe Buffay. Did it take time to settle in, understand what it means to be an NHL player, and find your identity? Jesper Bratt: Interesting question. I think it definitely took that full first year to kind of know how the League works. So, I came into my second year more confident that way (because) I knew how the League worked and what to expect and stuff. It wasn't until probably my fourth year that I started figuring out my game, how I needed to perform, how I needed to play, and how I needed to take care of myself to be at the level that I expected myself to be on. Probably those four years to take in that next step and be on the level I want to be on. THN: Is there a particular moment in your career that you would love to show to your younger self to say this is going to be you in the future? Bratt: Interesting. Obviously, you learn so much along the way. If you show yourself too much, maybe you don't learn as much. I think all those small things you go through are good things. I would have been happy to show that all the work put in, all those extra hours, and those uncomfortable moments that you took yourself to physically and mentally to try to be the best really paid off. THN: Was there ever a moment in your career when you started to lose your love for the game? Bratt: No. Obviously, (there are) so many tough challenges throughout the year. Tough parts when hockey hasn't been as fun, but I think those are more emotional things from situations or rough times you have gone through when you maybe don't think the game goes the way you want. You don't enjoy it as much because you're not winning or performing the way you want, but I don't think my love for the game has ever shifted. THN: What has hockey given you since you were drafted in June 2016? Bratt: I mean, there is so much. So many friendships and life lessons. My life has (revolved around) hockey my entire life. Just the brotherhood mentality, the teamwork, and finding solutions together with the group. There are so many things that you can learn from. I'm thankful for all the friendships and people I have met along the way, too. THN: At this point, does hockey feel like a job to you, or is it still your passion that you have had since you were a kid? Bratt: It is definitely still a passion. I love being here. I love being at the rink. I love skating. I love playing games, and I love competing. We are very fortunate and lucky we can get paid for doing it, too. Obviously, there are times it feels more like a job because it is mentally challenging and hard, and there are tough times, like I said before. Still, at the end of the day, we are very lucky to get to do what we love. I feel very fortunate to do this. The Big Show: Nico Hischier Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-jesper-bratt-alexander-holtz-nico-hischier-andy-sward] EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/exclusive-q-a-with-msg-networks-host-analyst-rachel-herzog-new-jersey-devils] Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/features/hischiers-manager-patrick-fischer-hes-driven-to-succeed-but-not-easily-satisfied]' [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/features/hischiers-manager-patrick-fischer-hes-driven-to-succeed-but-not-easily-satisfied]S [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/game-day/seamus-casey-scores-first-nhl-goal-in-new-jersey-devils-global-series-finale]eamus Casey Scores First NHL Goal In Devils Global Series Finale [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/game-day/seamus-casey-scores-first-nhl-goal-in-new-jersey-devils-global-series-finale]
